PREMIER TWO GLOS/WILTS: Burbage back to form by claiming Corsham’s scalp

Burbage & Easton Royal back to form in WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts by claiming Corsham’s scalp

BURBAGE & Easton Royal captain David Cope believes his young side are “starting to mature” after bouncing back from losing their unbeaten record to claim a six-wicket win over Corsham in WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

Cope’s team fell seven runs short against Chippenham the previous weekend, but responded positively with a comfortable victory in their next fixture thanks to match-winning contributions from Owen Alsop with the ball and captain Cope with the bat.

Corsham made a strong start with the bat thanks to opener Charley Reed gracefully striking his way to 99, however, Matthew Milne had Reed caught by Adam Lavis agonisingly short of three figures, and the tide began to turn back towards Burbage.

A score of 167-4 turned into 219 all out as Alsop took Corsham’s tail apart with figures of 6-31 and Cope knew that his side were in the game.

Delighted with the contribution of his premier bowler, Cope said: “Owen Alsop did a brilliant job.

“He’s such an asset when we have him available. When he’s out there on the pitch, he’s superb.

“He showed his experience on Saturday – six wickets is no fluke. He bowled really well, really tight and he was superb.

“All the bowlers bowled really well through the middle overs, because at one point it was looking like Corsham would get 250 or 260.”

Burbage did not look in much danger during the reply as Jonathan Chandler and Cope kicked off the innings with a solid base.

The skipper would eventually go on to reach his half-century and more, ending with 74, while John Riekert saw them home in the 47th over with an unbeaten 58.

Cope said: “For us, patience was the key when we were batting.

“A lot of people had to hang around and show a bit of determination because we were put under quite a bit of pressure from Corsham.

“Certainly through the middle overs, they didn’t give us a lot at all.

“We were going at three and four an over whereas we needed to be going at sixes.

“It was only near the end that it swung back our way a little bit.

“The lads showed great character after a bit of a heart-breaking defeat in the previous game against Chippenham, falling just short like we did.

“To come back and win showed some real grit and character, so it goes to show that the lads are starting to grow and mature.”

“Corsham are a tough side to be fair, they’ve got some really good players and an awkward bowling attack.

“They’re very switched on and they know what they’re doing, so it was a really tough chase. I’m glad we got it done.”

Elsewhere, Chippenham’s Graeme Van Buuren fell half a dozen runs short of his century as his side fell to a six-wicket defeat to Frocester.

Van Buuren anchored his side’s innings with a superb knock, but was dismissed on 94 as Chippenham set their hosts 239 to win.

And despite Chippenham reducing Frocester to 121-4, William Naish (85) and Ashley Davis (48) set about chasing the total down with relative ease.

Biddestone also suffered defeat in their match away at Thornbury, this time by two wickets.

Chris Baker remained not out on 75 as the visitors finished on 238-6, but Yvan Grant’s 97 not out ultimately helped his team triumph in a thrilling encounter.

Trowbridge suffered defeat by 41 runs as they welcomed Dumbleton to the County Ground.

Dumbleton captain Adam Stuart top-scored with 61 as his side posted 226-7.

In reply, only Tom Oakley (51) and captain Tom Weaver (45) offered any hope for Trowbridge as they were bowled out for 185.

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